The Ray-Ban Meta glasses now have a third style option: sharing first-person views in WhatsApp and Messenger conversations, and visual AI for viewing and asking in the US and Canada.
The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses launched at Connect 2023. They are first-person camera glasses that allow you to take hands-free first-person photos and videos, make phone calls, listen to music or live stream your view to Instagram.
In the US and Canada, the other main feature is Meta AI, a conversational assistant that lets you talk by saying “Hey Meta.” Meta AI is much more advanced than today's Alexa, Siri or Google Assistant because it is powered by Meta's Llama series of large language models (LLMs), the same kind of technology that powers ChatGPT. However, like other LLMs it can occasionally be subject to hallucinations, and it currently lacks the smart home integrations that traditional digital assistants have.
That's what Mark Zuckerberg said recently on a podcast that Meta has seen a huge demand for Ray-Ban Meta glasses and is selling them as fast as they can make them. At the time of writing, many variants are currently out of stock pending restocking.
As of today, Meta AI is no longer limited to voice input. It can now also answer questions about what you're looking at or the last photo you took.
This multimodal AI capability has many potential applications, such as identifying a plant or animal, answering questions about what you're cooking, suggesting a caption for a photo, or even translating a poster or sign into another language.
Example of Meta AI translating a poster.
Meta AI with Vision was previously available in early access beta for a “limited number” of users, but is now rolling out to all owners in the US and Canada.
View sharing in video calls
Since launch, Ray-Ban Meta glasses can livestream your vision to Instagram. Starting today, they can also stream your thoughts via WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger video calls.
If you're in a WhatsApp or Messenger conversation on your phone and your glasses are connected, you'll see a new button that lets you stream your view. Alternatively, you can press the physical button on the glasses twice.
Meta says that view sharing in WhatsApp and Messenger video calls is “being rolled out gradually,” so it may take some time before it's available to every owner.
New style and options
Ray-Ban Meta glasses launched in two available styles: Wayfarer and Headliner.
Skyler in glossy chalk gray with Gradient Cinnamon Pink lenses.
Today, EssilorLuxottica introduces a third style option called Skyler, which it says is inspired by the 1960s archive, “an era of iconic jet-set style.”
However, like Headliner, Skyler is only available in standard size and therefore not suitable for larger faces. Wayfarer, on the other hand, is also available in a Large size.
EssilorLuxottica is also introducing a 'low bridge fit' variant of the Headliner style, which will be available in gloss black with Polar G15 lenses. Meta says this low bridge is suitable for “if your glasses tend to slide down your nose, sit too low on your face, or press on your cheeks.”
Different styles of Ray-Ban Meta glasses.
Five more color variants will appear this summer:
- Skyler in glossy caramel with polar brown lenses
- Skyler in gloss black with polar G15 lenses
- Wayfarer in shiny warm stone with Transitions® watermelon red lenses
- Headlining in shiny warm stone with Transitions® saffron yellow lenses
- Headliner Low Bridge Fit in shiny warm stone with Transitions® dark green lenses
Finally, a limited edition “Scuderia Ferrari colorway” variant of the Ray-Ban Meta glasses will be released tomorrow for the 2024 Miami Grand Prix.